Four godly and fruitful sermons two preached at Drayton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…Foure godlie and fruitful sermons two preached at Draiton in Oxford-shire, at a fast,…

Now because our hearts may easily deceive us in this matter of zeal, either by persuading us that we have it, when we are far from it; or that we altogether want it, when in some good measure we have attained unto it: therefore will it not be amiss to set down some rules, whereby we may try whether our zeal be currant or counterfeit.

Now because our hearts may easily deceiue vs in this matter of zeale, either by perswading vs that we haue it, when we are farre from it; or that we altogether want it, when in some good measure we haue attained vnto it: therefore will it not be amisse to set downe some rules, whereby we may trie whether our zeale be currant or counterfeit.

First,¹ therefore touching the matter about which this holy zeal is to be exercised, it must be good: according to the saying of the Apostle: It is good always to ⟨p. 86⟩§1be zealous in [a good matter:] ²and it was before showed, that Gods people must be zealous of [good works:] otherwise,³ if the matter be evil, the more earnest any is, the more sinful: neither is such earnestness worthy the name of zeal, being nothing else but a devilish and fleshly heat, or rather a kind of frenzy and madness. Such was the zeal of Idolaters that would mangle and cut themselves, and that would offer their children in the fire in honour unto their gods. Such was the zeal of the Scribes and Pharisees, ⁴who would compass sea and land to make one a Proselyte: that is, one of their own sect.

First,